Unsustainable Fishing Practices

Definition

Unsustainable fishing practices refer to methods of fishing that deplete fish populations and harm the marine ecosystem, leading to long-term negative impacts on both the environment and the fishing industry.

Related terms

Overfishing:

Overfishing occurs when too many fish are caught in a specific area or species, exceeding their reproductive capacity and leading to population declines.

Bycatch: Bycatch refers to unintentionally catching non-targeted species while fishing for a particular species. It often results in the unnecessary death of marine animals like dolphins, turtles, or seabirds.

Habitat Destruction: Habitat destruction involves damaging or destroying critical habitats such as coral reefs or seagrass beds through activities like bottom trawling or dynamite fishing. This practice disrupts entire ecosystems and negatively affects biodiversity.